Topic: What did Ennis think he was doing?

[manhattangirl]

oh yeah! and that too.

[welshwitch]

There's also the fact that Ennis feels committed to Alma as they separate, and perhaps is also using her as a security blanket - at least there is someone with whom he can have a life. Perhaps that's why he makes so little effort not to part from Jack so precipitately.

[aintfoolin]

This is beautifully said MG, Jack did teach Ennis alot though. Ennis grew into a man without the benefit of the essential male guidance he so desperatly needed to get thru life.  but so did Jack. Both of them lacked decent fathers but at least Jack had his mom to lean on. Their mothers apparently were influential in both their lives. Even Ennis remembered the songs his mother sang to him as a child. They both depended on their mothers for comfort from their own fathers' wrath. This similar experience probably contributrd to the bond they had. They both learned to protect each other...something they both lacked growing up so it rally wasn't a stretch, It was a virtue they knew alot about and felt it was important to feel in both their lives.

Jack could'nt cook worth a damn but at least he warned Ennis beforehand. His skill using a canopener?.... well . You must open the can  lid all the way so ya don;t have to push it in babe.  .I think he was better at peeling boiled potatoes with a knife while peeking at Ennis in the buff.  Cute.  LOL

[tpe]

Thanks everyone for the interesting posts.

You know, I think someone had noted elsewhere that both Ennis and Jack were certainly not the reflective type.  I don't think both of them really understood the full nature of their love for each other, and why they did certain things and did them in certain ways.

They were more "in the gut" -- reacting to fears and emotions, and to dreams.   This was both their strength and their downfall.